Jennifer Lopez, aged 55, will make her first significant appearance since filing for divorce from Ben Affleck this Sunday at the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special. Lopez initiated divorce proceedings on August 20, coinciding with the couple’s two-year wedding anniversary, following their 2022 Georgia ceremony.
The two-hour retrospective special will air on October 6, occupying the time slot originally designated for the 2024 AMAs, which have been rescheduled to May 2025.
The long-running American Music Awards, which first premiered in 1974, will make its debut on CBS after 49 years of being broadcast on ABC. These changes were formally announced by Dick Clark Productions in late April.
Jennifer Lopez, a frequent performer on the American Music Awards stage throughout her distinguished career, is set to return for the 50th Anniversary Special. On Thursday, the official AMA Instagram account, boasting nearly one million followers, teased her upcoming appearance.
The post featured a montage of her past performances with the caption: “@jlo has been no stranger to the #AMAs over the last 50 years, and she’ll be back this SUNDAY to celebrate the #AMAs50 with us on @cbstv and streaming on @paramountplus.”
Other notable celebrities set to appear include Mariah Carey, Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, and Jennifer Hudson. Nelly, Nile Rodgers & Chic, and Sheila E. are also scheduled to perform during the event.
Additional special appearances will include Kate Hudson, Lance Bass, Samuel L. Jackson, and Reba McEntire. The show promises to keep viewers engaged with a lineup featuring celebrity guests, artist interviews, and exclusive, never-before-seen footage from the Dick Clark Productions archive.
The segments will provide a retrospective on notable artists and music genres, while also commemorating significant award achievements and performance milestones throughout the history of the American Music Awards.
According to a press release, the American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special “will serve as a tribute to the past 50 years and feature dazzling new performances, heartfelt artist interviews, legendary special guests… and iconic moments that have defined the awards show and shaped pop culture.”
Kane Brown is set to highlight the influence of country music with a performance blending both classic and contemporary hits. Mariah Carey will kick off the 20th-anniversary celebration of her album The Emancipation of Mimi, ahead of its April 2025 milestone. Additionally, singer-songwriter Raye will perform a rendition of James Brown’s 1966 hit It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World.
